Introduction

The artistic walk of life of sculptor Bjorn Weckstrom is characterised by very impressive series of work, shaped in materials such as bronze, marble, glass and acrylic resin, as well as in often surprising combinations of the above. His distinctive language of expression ranges from abstract form to an individualistic interpretation of realism. Central to the bronze sculptures has been the reinterpretation of classic Greek mythology.

Furthermore, the large sculptures, exploring the interaction between man and machine, outline a profound analysis of the current state of Mankind. The invitation to become a lecturer at the University of Pisa in 1979, led to an important change in his life: thereafter Mr. Weckstrom has spent the majority of his time in Italy. The differences between Italy in terms of the cultural milieu and natural environment, resonate as enriching and fertilising elements in many of his sculptures.

There is a soul in the substance

The most distinct period of material bound design in Bjorn Weckstrom's production,are the series of 25 sculptures in acrylic resin, created in 1971-1973. They are inspired by a protest against the kinetic, "noisy" art of the time. Artists like Tinguely, Kovac etc., were going as far as creating sculptures able to self-destruct, highlighting the need to create something immobile, unconditional and lasting.

The self-lit sculptures in acrylic resin demand twilight and peace, solitude. The colour and light silence to meditation. The floating translucent insubstantiality insinuate a silent sacral meditation. A passing interest by the artist in Zen-Buddhism, is conveyed in the introvert, inward nature of the sculptures, revealing uncharted territories within the mind.

Key work in the series are "Trinity", "Empirism", "Portrait of a Leader", and "Expanding Cube", whose colour mystique and feeling of being under water induce a strange resonance. In these sculptures, the silvered pieces of bronze appear to "swim" in the light space within the cubes of acrylic resin. "Molokbird" (1975) and "Overhanging Problem" (1979) have their internal elements made solely of bronze. The use of acrylic resin can also be seen as the answer